Billions for the Church? Let's Count Calmly

Poland's Supreme Audit Office (NIK) has published a report detailing billions of zlotys in public funding directed towards churches and other religious associations. The report, titled "Financing of churches and other religious denominations and certain related entities by selected public units," has sparked debate, with some interpreting its findings as justification for reducing church privileges.

Juliusz Braun, the author, suggests that while discussions about financial flows between the state and the Church are necessary, a clear distinction must be made. He advocates for identifying which public funds support religious activities versus those that are essentially "purchases" of social, cultural, or other services from church-affiliated institutions. These services, Braun notes, are often tasks the state should undertake regardless of the provider.

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It is worth and necessary to talk about financial flows between the state and the Church, about the regulations (and customs!) in this area.

As an example, Braun examines the financing of military chaplaincies. Poland employs over 160 chaplains in its armed forces, predominantly Catholic, with smaller numbers of Orthodox and Evangelical clergy. The Catholic Military Ordinariate receives approximately 30 million zlotys annually. Braun prompts a comparison with other NATO nations, noting that Germany funds around 100 Evangelical and 80 Catholic chaplains, plus Jewish and Muslim clergy. France, despite strict church-state separation, funds 210 Catholic chaplains for its army, alongside Evangelical, Muslim, and Jewish chaplains, viewing military chaplaincy as a practical model of religious tolerance.

Braun highlights the unique status of military chaplains, who, though uniformed, do not hold military ranks. Instead, their rank is "invisible," always matching that of the soldier they are addressing. This ensures they are never subordinate to or senior to any service member. The article implies that the necessity and public funding of such chaplaincies are a common practice across European nations.

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But at the beginning, it is necessary to clearly indicate what funds from the state budget and local government budgets support religious worship (as tax regulations call it), and what serves the 'purchase' of various services related to social assistance, culture, etc.